University of North Carolina Athletics
Peterson Named 2005 Male Open Water Co-Swimmer of the Year
September 19, 2006 | Swimming & Diving
Sept. 19, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina swimmer Chip Peterson was named co-winner of Swimming World Magazine's male Open Water Swimmer of the Year. The Pine Knolls Shore, N.C. native shares the inaugural award with German swimmer Thomas Lurz.
The two met at the 2005 FINA Open Water World Championships when Lurz edged Peterson by just 1.6 seconds to take first place in the 5 kilometer event. Peterson exacted a measure of revenge beating out Lurz by 7.1 seconds to take the 10 kilometer event three days later.
In September, the two battled in the 10 kilometer race at the 2006 FINA Open Water World Championships with Lurz claiming first place ahead of Peterson who took sixth. Earlier in the event Peterson claimed a silver medal in the 5 kilometer race finishing second to Lurz by only four-tenths of a second.
Peterson recently added a gold medal in the inaugural 10 kilometer open water event at the 2006 Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships in August.
